Category Archives: Recommendation

This Way to Happy by Alison Green Myers

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Reviewed by Aspen, a high school student

Reilly Rhoades is not looking forward to the opening of her family’s amusement park since it will be the first year without her grandfather. When her grandmother lands in the hospital, her mom and her aunt have a huge fight and her aunt takes Reilly’s best friend and cousin Nic to visit Nic’s father. Now Reilly has no grandfather, no grandmother, and no Nic to help her get through the summer. While walking her dog by the creek that separates the amusement park from the adjacent campground, she meets Alex, who is staying in the campground. With Alex’s help, Reilly takes on her grandfather’s last unfinished project.

This book is not just a story about an amusement park, it is about friendships, learning to let go, and taking things one step at a time.

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes

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Reviewed by Aspen, a high school student

Henson Blayze is a 13 year old teen entering 8th grade. He’s looking forward to the new school year and playing football. The small, mostly-white town of Great Mountain, Mississippi sees Henson as their star and ticket to a varsity football championship. They make shirts, give him special privileges, and he even has an agent, a friend named Flowell. Some of the Black people in town warn Henson that most people don’t see him for who he really is, and to be careful. Henson brushes that off, especially after the beginning of his first game, where he helps his team score over 30 points. At halftime, however, he learned that his close friend, 10 year old Menkah Jupiter, was beaten by two white police officers. Henson goes to him, which infuriates most of the townspeople, and their adoration for him turns to anger. Soon, Henson must decide if football is more important than supporting Menkah. The more Henson learns from his father, a local vineyard owner, the more he realizes what he must do.

The author tells a story that isn’t easily forgettable. This is a powerful book about injustice, being true to yourself, and calling out racial injustice. Henson is both exceptional and incredibly human, and this book delivers the message that it is those two aspects that make Henson, and all of us, worthy of value and love.

Open Wide by I. M. Eerie

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Reviewed by Aspen, a high school student

This book follows a young boy, Eddie, who is reluctant to return to the dentist after a bad experience at his last appointment. Eddie visits Dr. Yankum, a new dentist in town who seemed to appear overnight. The new dentist pulls two of Eddie’s teeth, teeth he could’ve sworn were healthy. When he discovers that he was not the only kid with unnecessary extractions, he begins to suspect something sinister. To make matters worse, Eddie’s mom begins to date Dr. Yankum. With the help of his best friend, Darryl, Eddie creates a plan to find out what is really going on. The ending is unexpected, and contributes to the horror and mystery of the book.

Overall, this book is fast paced, and mixes funny and spooky perfectly. It will make you shiver and grin at the same time! This book gives off the same eerie vibe and would be perfect for readers who like Goosebumps.

Candace, The Universe, and Everything by Sherri L. Smith

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Reviewed by Michelle, a high school student

This is a book about heritage, perseverance, and coming of age. Candace, the Universe, and Everything tells of a girl named Candace struggling with the shifts involved with growing up as she discovers a fantastical world inside of her locker, where she meets two women researching and experimenting on portals. The tale explores Black heritage, women in STEM, and difficulties of growing up with friends with the use of humor and inventive language. The connections she makes with the women in the locker prompts her to consider her place in the universe as she transitions to a difficult period in her life. Candace, the Universe, and Everything is a remarkable story about intergenerational struggles and development. This is highly recommended to young adults grappling with identity and self-doubt.

The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham by Ryan James Black

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Reviewed by Michelle, a high school student

The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham is an excellent book exploring themes of teamwork and friendship. The book is about a young, independent boy who accidentally releases a monster onto the streets of London. He begrudgingly teams up with two other teens to diffuse the problem. Black explores companionship, altruism, and magic as Nimble Nottingham learns to work with other people to save his city and dog. The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham is a fantastic story about learning to trust others and ourselves. This is highly recommended to elementary and middle school readers who are also fans of Rick Riordan’s books.

Lost on Doll Island by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez

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Reviewed by Michelle, a high school student

Lost on Doll Island is a story that explores Mexican culture and familial issues. The story is about a young boy named Diego who travels to the Isla de Muñecas (Doll Island) with two new friends, hoping to make a magical wish to fix his parents’ divorce. As they arrive on the island, however, they begin experiencing scary phenomena, and must work together to escape the island. Ramos-Gomez weaves complicated emotions of divorce together with a scary tale of Mexican legend to combat difficult experiences teens may be facing. This is recommended to readers who love scary stories like “Goosebumps” and struggle with similar experiences to Diego’s.

Phantom Academy by Christine Virnig

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Reviewed by Michelle, a high school student

Phantom Academy is a story that explores the theme of death. The book approaches the topic with a tale about a young boy named Finn, who, having recently died, is transported to Phantom Academy, where ghosts learn how to be ghosts. He deals with complicated feelings of homesickness, and the fear of losing his memories of spending time with his family. With newly found friends, he embarks on a journey to leave the school before it’s too late. Although the book includes supernatural phenomena, it may still be a relatable read for younger readers. This book is recommended to readers who may be transitioning to a new school, or who are dealing with a loss.

The Unforgettable Leta “Lightning” Laurel by R. L. Toalson

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Reviewed by Michelle, a high school student

The Unforgettable Leta “Lightning” Laurel is a book about perseverance, as well as mental and physical health. The book is about Laurel, a girl struggling with an insecurity with food, familial issues, and an absence of male presence in her life as she works to win the district track championship. Toalson explores mature themes of eating disorders, female stereotypes, and poverty with an inspiring tale about a determined young girl. This is an “unforgettable” story, perfect for teens struggling with self-doubt and body image. Recommended for readers as they transition from elementary to middle school, or middle to high school, as they begin to explore new opportunities for physical or social activity.

If I Built a Town

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What would you build? Maybe a house? A school? A car? In Chris Van Dusen’s newest book in the series, Jack plans the perfect town…through the eye of a child. In this humorous and imaginative book Jack’s recommendation for the Mayor, include the perfect fountain, zoo, housing, stores and more. The text’s rhythm and rhyme make it a fun read aloud.

More fantastical than realistic, this title is a great jumping off point for teaching planning and to encourage students to think outside the box. It’s sure to be a hit with fans of Van Dusen’s other If I Built books.

A Roof!

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In a small village on an island in the Philippines, a storm blows in one night – a storm big enough to damage buildings. Maya wakes the following morning with a roof in the backyard. Maya and her father roll the roof up like a lumpia and set off to find its owner. On their journey they witness both the devastation of the storm and the beauty of their strong community. A farmer and his carabao help carry the roof, fishers help them cross the raging river, and a multitude of community members help clear the debris. Finally that roof is reunited with the family so they can rebuild, “nail after nail, board after board, heart after heart,”

This is an uplifting story based in the Philippines, a country often hit by natural disasters. The endnotes explain that writing your address on the their metal roof, is a common practice. The Filipino community spirit called bayanihan embodies the tradition of working together to support the community’s needs.

This book is highly recommended for lessons highlighting Southeast Asian/Filipino culture and to show the impact of all members working together to address the needs of the community.